Sculptor Jeanne Rynhart, who created Dublin's famous Molly Malone statue and the Annie Moore statue on Ellis Island, has died at the age of 74.
Jeanne Rynhart died on June 9, leaving behind a legacy of famous Irish figures captured in bronze.
She sculpted the famous Molly Malone statue, which now sits outside the Dublin Tourist Office on Suffolk Street, in 1988 and it has stood as one of the city's most recognizable monuments ever since.
Her other notable works include the statues of Annie Moore in Cobh, Co Cork, as well as on New York City's Ellis Island.
Annie Moore became the first immigrant to be processed at the US immigration center on Ellis Island on January 1, 1892, and Rynhart's work immortalizes her journey on both sides of the Atlantic.
State of Annie Moore in Cobh, Co Cork (Ireland's Content Pool)
Read more: How did Annie Moore become the first person through Ellis Island?
Rynhart also sculpted a statue of William Pembroke Mulchinock and Mary O'Connor which now stands in the Rose Garden of Tralee Town Park in Co Kerry. Mulchinock penned the "Rose of Tralee" ballad for Mary O'Connor and the song later inspired the Rose of Tralee International Festival.
Festival organizers paid tribute to Rynhart in a Facebook post: "The Rose of Tralee International Festival is saddened to learn of the passing of sculptor Jeanne Rynhart yesterday, June 9th. Jeanne sculpted the beautiful life-size bronze of Mary and William which is the centrepiece the Rose of Tralee Memorial in Tralee Town Park Rose Garden," the post said.
The Rose of Tralee International Festival is saddened to learn of the passing Of sculptor Jeanne Rynhart yesterday, June 9th. Jeanne sculpted the beautiful life-size bronze of Mary and William which is the centrepiece the Rose of Tralee Memorial in Tralee Town Park Rose Garden. It was commissioned by Kerry County Council in 2009 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Festival and miniatures were presented to the Roses of Tralee that year. We offer our sincere condolences to Jeanne’s family, may she Rest In Peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal ?? Kerry County Council
Publiée par Rose of Tralee International Festival sur Jeudi 11 juin 2020
Rynhart was born in Dublin and graduated from the National College of Art and Design with a Fine Arts degree in 1969.
She moved to Coventry after finishing college before moving to Bantry in Co Cork with her family in 1981. There she established Rynhart Fine Art Bronze.
She is survived by her husband Les Elliot and her daughter Audrey who now run the sculpting company.
Read more: ‘Molly Malone’ written by the Scottish to ridicule the Irish, says expert
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